The critically acclaimed author of the “bold, innovating, and thrilling” (Stephen King) novel The Twenty-Year Death and the “brilliant” (Booklist, starred review) novel Barren Cove returns with a dark and compelling mystery set in the near future. Decimated by plague, the human population is now a minority. Robots–complex AIs almost indistinguishable from humans–are the ruling majority. Nine … humans–are the ruling majority. Nine months ago, in a controversial move, the robot government opened a series of preserves, designated areas where humans can choose to live without robot interference. Now the preserves face their first challenge: someone has been murdered.
Chief of Police Jesse Laughton on the SoCar Preserve is assigned to the case. He fears the factions that were opposed to the preserves will use the crime as evidence that the new system does not work. As he digs for information, robots in the outside world start turning up dead from bad drug-like programs that may have originated on SoCar land. And when Laughton learns his murder victim was a hacker who wrote drug-programs, it appears that the two cases might be linked. Soon, it’s clear that the entire preserve system is in danger of collapsing. Laughton’s former partner, a robot named Kir, arrives to assist on the case, and they soon uncover shocking secrets revealing that life on the preserve is not as peaceful as its human residents claim. But in order to protect humanity’s new way of life, Laughton must solve this murder before it’s too late.
The Preserve is a fresh and futuristic mystery that is perfect for fans of Westworld and Blade Runner.
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Interesting plot.
The Preserve by Ariel Winter is an original story that captivates the casual sci-fi reader. It also manages to incorporate the finest elements of procedurals which is very difficult to do, think of Winters and his Last Policeman trilogy.
As the story opens human beings have been relegated to living in what is called a preserve. It is here where humans can live as normal a life as possible. The preserve has been created because chillingly enough the majority of the human population has been wiped out due to a virus. Artificial intelligence robots enforce government regulations and service the preserve. The human survivors of the virus go about their business until a murder takes place. The crime brings unwanted attention to the Preserve and its inhabitants are now being closely monitored by the police force. The police and humans face many problems that human beings and police face in the current world. The Preserve brings together the best elements of sci-fi and procedural that will leave readers aching for more.
I haven’t read many (or any?) science fiction books with robots and I have to say I really enjoyed The Preserve by Ariel S. Winter. It is an incredibly unique take on a police procedural, and I loved the science fiction/dystopian aspect as well as the robots. I do wish the artificial intelligence details would have been explained since I wasn’t familiar with them, but besides that this was a great, interesting slow burn.
The Preserve is told explicitly from the point of view of the Chief of Police Jesse Laughton, and I actually really hope this is going to be turned into a series because I couldn’t get enough of him. There is a little bit of mystery surrounding him and I’d love to learn more about his backstory in future books. I also really liked his old (robot) partner Kir and the camaraderie between the two of them once Kir comes on the scene. The mystery was also really well done, and the twists all surprised me which I always appreciate.
I thought the pacing was slow but steady, and even though the book wasn’t very long there is a lot packed into it. It has a great concept, and I was very intrigued by this futuristic world the author created. I don’t want to say too much and give anything away, so I will say if you like police procedurals with AI and science fiction elements The Preserve would be a great one to check out!
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy of this book, all opinions and thoughts are my own.
Chief of Police Jesse Laughton and his old partner Kir, now of Health and Human Services, pair up to solve a murder on the Preserve that is soon linked to a series of other deaths. They work together seamlessly, each bringing special strengths to the relationship. They comfortably tease and kid each other, even worry about each other.
Even though one is a ‘meathead’ and the other Metal.
A plague has decimated the human species and Laughton is part of the remnant population. Kir is a humanoid AI, a man-created robot, part of the robot majority in control of governing. He respects humans for their ability to think outside their natures. He is one of the ‘good’ AIs.
Kir is unwanted on the Preserve, a reservation where humans can live in self-governing segregation.
For the sake of his wife and their daughter, Laughton became of Chief of Police of the Preserve. His wife is involved in the repopulation movement and the promotion of genetic diversity through a sex clinic. “A baby in every belly” is their motto.
Now, Laughton has the Preserve’s first murder to solve. The victim was a Sim developer who created an illegal plug and play program for robot self-gratification. His program fries the circuitry of robots who indulge.
If Laughton can’t solve the case soon, he will lose control of the Preserve to the robot government. And that would escalate the rise of hate groups from both humans and machines. The anti-orgo AI faction is chomping at the bit to take control of the non-productive humans with their violent natures. A peace-keeping force could become permanent.
The Preserve was a chilling read while in a pandemic lockdown. “If another plague is coming, it won’t be a suit and a couple of doors that save me,”a doctor quips.
It was very unsettling to read that line.
Descriptions of empty cities are disturbingly reflective of our pandemic reality under lockdown. There are shortages of supplies like sugar and coffee. The images are chilling.
Kir grapples with existential thoughts about the purpose of his existence. What’s the point of living forever, he wonders. Laughton’s purpose is his daughter Rachel and her future. Kir envies him. His offers to care for Rachel for her lifetime, and her children’s lifetime, comforts both Kir and Laughton.
Winter’s novel is a crime thriller set in a near-future where the human race is decimated by a plague, leaving AI to dominate American society. Through this fictional lens we are confronted with the fundamental questions of how diverse communities can exist together. Historically, we have chosen segregation, reservations, and a power structure based on class and strength of numbers.
Laughton wonders if the Preserve is the right choice for humans. His relationship with Kir proves that AIs and humans can work together, complement each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and even love each other.
I have to wonder about our choices in the next months and years as we battle this complex and frightening virus that has altered our world. Will we continue our tribalism of hate? Or can we rise above our worse natures and embrace and nurture our better angels?
I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.